Article 232 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 232 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد النقل البحري : أولاً: أحكام عامة
The passenger may terminate the contract, with compensation where appropriate, if the carrier materially changes the schedule, route or ports of call; the carrier is exempt from compensation if it proves it exercised the usual care.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للراكب أن يطلب فسخ العقد مع التعويض عند الاقتضاء إذا أجرى الناقل تعديلاً جوهريًّا في مواعيد السفر، أو في خط سير السفينة أو في موانئ الرسو الوسيطة المعلن عنها. ومع ذلك يعفى الناقل من التعويض إذا أثبت أنه بذل العناية المعتادة لتفادي هذا التعديل.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 232 explained in plain English
This article protects the passenger from material changes the carrier makes to the voyage.
First: cases giving a right to terminate. The passenger may request termination of the contract if the carrier makes a material change to:
- The voyage schedule, or
- The ship's route, or
- The announced intermediate ports of call.
Second: compensation. The passenger is also entitled to compensation where appropriate, that is, where the passenger suffers loss that requires it.
Third: carrier's exemption from compensation. The carrier is exempt from compensation if it proves that it exercised the usual care to avoid this change. The passenger's right to terminate nevertheless remains.
Note that the article requires the change to be material; minor changes do not give this right. The article does not set out the test of materiality.
It is preceded by Article 231, which regulates the voyage becoming impossible or being interrupted for more than three days. It is followed by Article 233, which makes the carrier liable for the death or injury of a passenger if the accident occurs during performance of the contract of carriage. A passenger whose voyage has changed significantly is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in maritime law.
Practical example
Noura booked a cruise announced to call at three ports, and the carrier then canceled two of them. This is a material change to the announced ports of call, so she may request termination of the contract with compensation where appropriate, unless the carrier proves it exercised the usual care to avoid it, in which case it is exempt from compensation.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 232 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Can I terminate my sea voyage contract if its schedule changes?
Yes, if the change is a material change to the voyage schedule, the route or the announced intermediate ports of call.
When does the carrier not pay compensation for changing the voyage?
If it proves that it exercised the usual care to avoid the change.
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1- يثبت عقد نقل الأشخاص بحراً بمحرر يسمى تذكرة السفر، يذكر فيها على وجه خاص: أ- اسم الناقل, واسم الراكب, وجنسيته. ب- تاريخ إصدار تذكرة السفر. ج- اسم السفينة, وج
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- Article 229
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إذا توفي الراكب أو قام مانع يحول دون سفره فسخ العقد واسترجعت الأجرة كاملة, بشرط أن يبلغ الراكب أو ورثته الناقل بذلك قبل الميعاد المعين للسفر بوقت مناسب وفق ما ت
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.